Photographic developing apparatus



l March 18,1958 E. DUTCH 2,826,979 I PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Jan.' 2o, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 1 March 18, 1958 E. DUTCH PHoToGRAPx-xlc DEVELOPING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1954 QQQ bmbbbmb bmbmbmb INVEIVTOR. EME/7) DUTCH HIS AT T URI/E Y March 18, 19578 E. DUTCH PHoToGRAPHIc DEVELOPING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 20, 1954 INVENTOR. EMERY Durc/4 HIS ATTORNEY March 18, 1958 E. DUTCH 2,826,979

` PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 20. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. /'/6 4 EMERY Durc/1 ms Arromvsr E. DUTCH 2,826,979

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 18, 1958 Filed Jan. 20, 1954 INVTOR. EME@ Y DUTCH H/s Arranwf Zgdi Patented Mar.. l, i953 time PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS Emery Dutch, New York, N. Y.

Application January 20, 1954, Serial No. 405,158

9 Claims. (Cl. 95-94) This invention relates to apparatus for processing exposed photographic sheets, and, more particularly, to devices for automatically immersing sheets of photographic materials in one or more treating solutions, one object of this invention being the provision of an improved machine of this description.

Photographic sheet material carries a coating emulsion which is delicate in nature and easily scratched and injured and the emulsion is carried by sheet or web-material which is often thin and llimsy, especially when wet, so as to require eicient support and guidance during the processing step or steps. It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine wherein the sheet or web of photographic material is gently and effectively supported and accurately guided without injury through such step or steps.

A still further object is the provision of a machine of the above description which is more simple and reliable in operation, and less expensive to construct and maintain.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a photographic print treating machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the machine of Fig. 1, partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the machine of Fig. 1, partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantially along line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantially along line 5 5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 6 6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 7--7 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of an alternate form of the portion of the print treating device shown in Fig. 7.

The invention is embodied in the present instance, by way of illustration, in a machine preferably comprising a series of tanks or containers for photographic processing solutions provided with mechanism for conveying and guiding the photographic sheet or web through said solutions in a predetermined sequence.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the photographic solutions are held in tank which is divided into four compartments or containers 22, 23, 24, and by cross partitions 26, 27, and 23, as shown in Fig. 1, each of said containers being adapted to hold one of the processing solutions for treating the exposed photographic sheet.

A pair of longitudinally extending channel shaped members or beams and 31, mounted on the top of tank 20, constitute the main frame of the sheet conveying mechanism. A plurality of downward depending conveyor units A, B, and C are rigidly fastened at right angles to frame members 30 and 31, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 2. Corresponding parts in the different units are designated by the same reference numerals accompanied where necessary be reference letters as a, b, c, for the different units A, B, C, respectively.

Conveyor units A through C each comprise downwardly depending frame members such as posts or bars 32, each fastened by channel members and screws 36,

`to one of the frame members 30 and 31 at opposite sides of the tank 20, as shown in Fig. 4. The lower portions of bars 32 extend down into tank 20, and are strengthened by cross members 37, as shown in Fig. 4.

Bars 32 are fastened together at their lower ends in groups by members 38, as shown in Fig. 2, each of said groups being in a separate compartment, and separated from adjacent groups by one of the above described partitions 26, 27 and 28.

Bars 32 each carry an upper roller 40 and a lower roller 42, as shown in Fig. 2. The method of mounting these Arollers is best shown by describing one such roller in detail. With reference to Fig. 4, roller 4l) is axially bored for a short distance on each endnto receive springs 43 and short shafts 44. Short shafts 44 are rotatably mounted in bushings 45 pressed in bars 32, and are held in place by set screws 46 which extend through slots 47 cut in each end of the roller. Roller 40 may be demounted by loosening set screws 46, and sliding shafts 44 inwardly, compressing springs 43 until the end of said shaft clears bushings 45. The roller may then be easily lifted out of its frame.

Main frame member 39 carries a plurality of sprocket shafts 5@ in bushings 5l mounted therein, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The inner ends of sprocket shafts 5i) project beyond frame member 30, and terminate in integral collars 52 which fit over the outwardly projecting slotted ends of shafts 44, and are fastened thereto by pins 53, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Sprocket shafts 50 carry sprockets 54, which engage driving chain 55 for rotating said shafts, as will be more fully described below. Thus, since sprocket shafts are connected to shafts 44, and the latter are connected to upper rollers 40, the three parts form one substantially continuous upper shaft assembly, driven by sprockets 54.

Upper rollers 4t) and lower rollers 42 carry a series of spaced'rubber collars 60, as shown in Fig. 4. A series k large spaced disks 71 similar to disks 62 rotatably mount- 4 of endless belts 61, of known chemically inert material, extend around each pair of upper and lower rollers, riding on collars 60 which act as substantially conical centering and bearing surfaces therefor. In addition, alternate ones of upper rollers 40 and lower rollers 42 each carry a series of peripherally serrated disks 62 spaced between adjacent collars 69. Disks 62 are rigidly fastened to rollers 4t) and 42 and rotate therewith for purposes that will be discussed below.

The means for conveying sheets from one compartment to another over the partition therebetween comprise preferably a series of frames 65, 66,67, and 63 (Fig. 2) mounted on beams 3@ and 31 above each of the partitions 26, 27, 28, and end wall of tank 2i). These frames vcomprise bars similar to but shorter than members 32, and are partially split or cut to enable them to straddle said partitions, as shown in Fig. 2. Split frames 65 to 68 each carry a horizontal roller '70, bearing a series of assente ed in a manner identical to that of rollers 40 and 42, and overlapping disks 62. Rollers '70 are each fastened to a short shaft 72, which in turn engages a sprocket shaft 73 carrying a sprocket 74, all ofwhich are identical to the corresponding parts 44, t) and 54, as described above. t

Each of `frames 65, 66, 67, and -68 also carries a horizontal member, mounted vertically below and parallel to roller 70. This member may comprise either a stationary bar 75, Figs. 2 and 7, carrying a series of stationary guide plates 76 spaced longitudinally thereon, or a rotary roller member 77, as shown in Fig. 9. These horizontal members cooperate with disks 71 inguiding the sheets along their path between compartments.

Means are provided for pressing liquid from the sheets as they leavethe last compartmentcornprising preferably a squeegee roller frame80, Fig. 2, rigidly mounted at the extreme right end of frame members 30 and 31. Five rollers 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 are rotatably supportcdin frame 80 in the manner described aboveA in connection with rolls 40 and 42. Rollers 81 and 84 are coupled to sprocket shafts 86'and 87 (Figs. 3 and 8) respectively, mounted in member 30.` and carrying sprock# ets 88 and 89. Rollers 81 and 82ers squeegee rolls, having resilient surfaces in pressing Contact with each other, forsqueezing moisture from sheets passing therebetween. Roller 83 is also a squeegee roll, and is mounted with its surface in contact under pressure with roller 82.` Rollerl 84is an idle roller, while roller 85 is a part of final conveyor 90,'which` will hereinafter be described.

Upper rollers 40,V split frame rollers 70, and squeegee roller 81 `are driven in alternately opposite directions by a suitable motor 95 and speed reducer 96 through a drive sprocket 100 driving chain 55 running over sprockets 54, 73,` 86, and 89, as shown in Fig.` `8. Chain 55 runs in` an alternately upward and downward path over sprockets 54, 73, and 86 driving all of said rollers at a uniform speed. However, I have found that the large number of rollers to be driven and the frequent reversal of direction of chain 55 entailed in driving said rollers in alternately opposite directions imposes a severe strain on the chain. To remedy this, these auxiliary drive chains 97, 98, and` 99 (Fig.` l) are run from a second drive sprocket 100` on speed reducer 96 to sprockets 101, 102, and 103 mounted on sprocket shafts 164, 105, and 106 set in frame 31 and attached totwo intermediate rollers 40 and to roller 81, as shown in Fig. 1. These auxiliary chains tend to relieve the load on main drive chain 55 `by driving the above mentioned intermediate rollers.

Since upper rollers 40 are driven in alternately opposite directions, as described above, adjacent portions of adjacent belts 61 travel inthe same vertical direction, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 2.

The photographic web to be processed is fed into chute 110, which is most clearly shown in Fig. 2. Upper'shaft 40a of the first conveyorunit A is mounted in a position lower than that of the other upper rollers 40 to allow clearance for thel lower end of chute 110.` Shaft 40a is driven by sprockets 111 and 112 and chain 113 from an idle shaft 114, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The leading edge of the `web slidingoff chute 1li() meets downwardly traveling; belt 61h, (Fig. 2) which4 turns said edge downward. This `downwardly turned edge of the web is then gripped between` adjacent belts 61a and 61b and is supported therebetween while being carried downwarly into the solution in the first compartment. When the leading edgeof the web approaches the lower rollers 42a and 42b it strikesthe moving edge of said web is deflected in a sidewise direction by the serrated edge of said moving disks. The web then strikes moving disks 62e on the roller 42e which ldeiiects the edge thereof upwardly in a position to be gripped by adjacent upwardly moving belts 61b and 61C, as shown at 115 in Fig. 6. The web then travels in an upward path while supported by said moving belts until it reaches the upper roller 40e, where `it is turned by disks 6212 and 71, and its leading edge slides in a horizontal direction over guide guide plates 76 mounted on bar 75, as shown at 116 in Fig. 7. The leadingtedge of the web is then turned downwardly by disks 62 and belt 6111 of the succeeding conveyor unit, and is ready for a journey through the solution in second compartmentL `23.

In this manner the web moves through the machine in an alternately downward and upward path thereby being subjected to successive. treatment of the solutions in each of the compartments 22, 23, 24, and 25 of tank 2i). The relative length of treatment in any one solution is controlled `by changing the number of conveyor units in each compartment. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 2, the photographic material makes one downward and one upward trip through the solution inl compartment, 22, and three round trips in compartment 23, three in compartment 24, and one` in compartment 2.5L However, it is to be understood that this arrangement is illustrative only, as my machine can readily be constructed to have any number of conveyor units in the various compartments to send the web through each photographic solution any desired number of times.

After the web is carried `vertically upwardly from its last trip through compartment 25 and turned by disks 62 and 71, it is gripped between squeegee rolls 81, S2, and 83 which remove the excess surface moisture therefrom. As the wet web has a tendency to cling to and wrap itself around the above mentioned squeegee rolls, a series of endless nylon belts preferably in the form of threads 120 are disposed to travel around rolls S1, 83 and top roll 85 of a final conveyor 90,` which will be described in detail below. A second series of threads 121 travel `around roll 82 and idler roll 84. Threads 120 and 121 prevent the wet web from clinging to the rolls and wrapping itselfthereabout, by forcing the former to leave the rollers tangentially.

The squeezed web is delivered to final conveyor 90, which comprisesa frame 125 rotatably mounted on roller 85. Frame 125 is mounted for angular adjustment by rotation about roller 8S (Fig...2) in order to deliver the web to anyV convenient positionfor drying o r other further handling, as desired. A. second roller 126 is mounted on the lower end of frame 125, and Va series `of endless belts 127, similar to belts 61, travel around rollers S5 and 126 for supporting and moving the photographic web to its final destination. Conveyor 90 is driven in a clockwise direction by a short chain 128, running on sprockets 129 andlBi", as shown in Figs. l and 3. Sprocket 129 is mounted on shaft 166, which is` driven by chain 99, as described above, and `sprocket 130 is mounted on a sprocket shaft 131, which is connected to shaft 85.

As shown by the foregoing description, the photographic web is automatically carried in a predetermined path through a series of photographic processing solutions and deliveredin a condition-ready for drying. The web is gently supported on both sides by a series of ilexible belts during all vertical-movement, and is gentlybut positivelyturnedand` guided from one set of belts` to the next by thetmovingedges of the rotating disks and the thin edgesoffthe guide plates. The apparatus is so designed andconstructed that the wet and fragile web is not forced to slide over flat stationary surfaces to which it might stick, onwhich might cause it to jam or deviate from its intendedpath. The inventionherein described is simple and reliable in operation, and is well adapted for continuous automatic operation.

It will thus be seen that the `invention accomplishes its objectsand while it has been herein disclosed by reference tthe details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be underv v and lower rollers rotatably supported by the frame means of each of said containers, with the rollers of each pair arranged one above the other and above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers with adjacent portions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, first downwardly and then upwardly, to convey said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, certain of said lower rollers having portions of larger diameter between adjacent belts thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of belts to another, certain of said upper rollers having portions of larger diameter between said belts for turning` the advancing edge of a print towards the top of another of said conveying means and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising rotary roller means having portions of larger diameter extending partially over adjacent containers to cooperate with the portions of larger diameter on said upper rollers for turning the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container towards the next adjacent container and conveying said print thereto. Y

2. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means in said containers, conveying means comprising a plurality of pairs of parallel upper and lower rollers rotatably supported by the frame means of each of said containers, with the rollers of each pair arranged one above the other and above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers with adjacentportions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, first downwardly and then upwardly, to convey said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, certain of said lower rollers having portions of larger diameter between adjacent belts thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of belts to another, certain of said upper rollers having portions of larger diameter between said belts for turning the advancing edge of a print towards the top of another of said conveying means, and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising rotary roller means and a cooperating guide member mounted in position substantially below said rotary roller means for guiding prints therebetween, said rotary roller means j having portions of larger diameter extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the portions of larger diameter on said upper rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container over said guide member towards the next adjacent container for conveying said print thereto.

El. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising p 6 of said lower rollers having portions of larger diameter between adjacent belts thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of belts to another, certain of said upper rollers having portions of larger diameter between said belts for turning the advancing edge of a print towards the top of another of said conveying means, and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising rotary roller means and a cooperating stationary guide member therebelow provided with a series of spaced, thin guiding elements extending in the direction of travel of the print, said rotary roller means having portions of larger diameter extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the portions of large diameter on said upper rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container over said guide member towards the next adjacent container for conveying said print thereto. j

4. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means in said containers, conveying means comprising a plurality of pairs of parallel upper and lower rollers rotatably supported by the frame means of each of said containers, with the rollers of each rpair arranged one above the other and above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers with adjacent portions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, rst downwardly and then upwardly, to convey said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, certain of said lower rollers having portions of larger diameter between adjacent belts thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of belts to another, certain of said upper rollers having portions of larger diameter between said belts for turning the advancing edge of a print towards the top of another of said conveying means, and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising an upper rotary roller means and a cooperating lower rotary roller member mounted substantially one above another, said upper roller means having portions of larger diameter extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the portions of larger diameter on said upper rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container over said lower roller member towards the next adjacent container to convey said print thereto. I

5. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means having portions in said containers,

conveying means comprising a plurality of pairs of parallel upperv and lower rollers rotatably supported by the frame means of each of said containers with the rollers of each pair arranged one above another and above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers with adjacent portions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, rst downwardly and then upwardly, to convey'said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, certain of said lower rollers having discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning the advancing edge of a printfrom one pair of belts to another, certain of said upper rollers having discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of said belts toward the next succeeding pair, and intercontainer transfer means located above and between adjacent containers comprising roller means having discs spaced longitudinally thereon and extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the discs of said upper rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print from one container towards the next adjacent container and convey said print thereto.

6. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers separated by partition means therebetween for holding treating liquids, supporting frame meanshavinkportions insaid containers, conveying means comprising aplurality `offpairs of parallel upper and lower rollersirotatably supported by the frame means of each of saidy containersfwith the rollers of each pair located above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers with adjacent portions of adjacent belts movingl in the same direction, trst downwardly and then upwardly, to` convey said prints therebetween and submerge the `same in said liquidicertain of ,said` rollers having `portions of larger diameter spaced longitudinally thereon `for turning the advancingedge of; a printfrom one pair of lbelts to another;` certain of said uppcrrollers having portions of larger diamter spaced longitudinally thereon` for turning the advancingedge of a-` print from one pair of belts toward the next succcedingltpair,` andY inter-container transferr means comprising-,a frame` part detachably mounted on said partition means and supporting rotary roller means aboveand` between adjacent containers, said roller means having portions of larger diameter extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the portions of larger diameter on said upper rollers to turn the ad-4 vancing edge of a` print emerging from `one container towards the next adjacent container and convey said print thereto.

7. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means having portions in said containers, a plurality of conveying means in each of said containers and each comprising three pairs of parallel upper and lower rollers rotatably supported by said frame means, the intermediate pair of said rollers of each conveying means being mounted higher than the outer pairs, with the upper and lower rollers of each pair located above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers, with adjacentportions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, first downwardly and then upwardly, to convey said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, the lower rollers of the outer pairs of each conveying means having portions of larger diameter spaced longitudinally `thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pairof belts to the adjacent pair, the upper roller of the `intermediate pair of each conveying means having portionsof larger` diameter spaced longitudinally thereon for turning and guiding the advancing edge of a print, and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising roller means having portions` of larger diameter spaced longitudinally thereon and extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the portions of larger diameter on` said upper rollers to turny the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container towards the next adjacent container and convey said print thereto.

8. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means having portions in said containers, a plurality of conveying means in each of said containers and each comprising three pairs of parallel upper and lower rollers rotatably supported by said frame means, the intermediate pair of said rollers of each conveying means being mounted higher than the outer pairs thereof, with the upper and lower rollers of each pair located above and below the liquid surface, respectively,

belts, connecting the-` rollers of each of saidV pairs of rollers, with adjacent portions of adjacent belts moving in the same directiom tirst'downwardly and then upwardly,` to` convey said prints therebetween, and submerge the same insaidjliquid, the lower rollers of the outer pairsV of each conveying means having peripherally serrated discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of belts to the adjacent pair, the upper roller `of the intermediate pair of each conveying4 means having peripherally serrated discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning and guiding the advancing edge of a print, and inter-container transfer means located above and between adjacent containers and comprising roller, means having periphcrally serrated discs` spaced' longitudinally thereon and extending partially over adjacentcontainers for cooperating with` the discs Von said upper` rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print emerging from one container towards the next adjacent container and convey said print thereto.

9. A photographic print treating apparatus comprising a plurality of containers separated by partition means therebetween for holding treating liquids, supporting frame means mounted on said containers and having portions depending into said same, a plurality of conveying means in each of said-containers and each comprising three pairsof parallel upper and` lower rollers rotatably supported by said frame means, the intermediate pair of said rollers. of each conveyingmeans being mounted higher than the outer pairs thereof, with the upper and lower rollers of each pair located above and below the liquid surface, respectively, belts connecting the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers, with adjacent portions of adjacent belts moving in the same direction, first downwardly andV then upwardly, to convey said prints therebetween and submerge the same in said liquid, the lower rollersof the outer pairs of each conveying means having peripherally serrated discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning the advancing edge of a print from one pair of beltsI to an adjacent pair, the upper roller of the intermediate pair of each conveying means having peripherally serrated discs spaced longitudinally thereon for turning and guiding the advancing edge of a print, and intercontainer transfer means comprising a frame part mounted on said partition means, Lipper and lower rotary roller means supported on said frame part above and between adjacent containers, said upper rotary roller means having peripherally `serrated discs spaced longitudinally thereon and extending partially over adjacent containers for cooperating with the discs on said upper rollers to turn the advancing edge of a print emerging from onecontainer over said lower roller means towards the next `adjacent container and convey said print thereto.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,656,522 Iosepho Ian. 17, 1928 1,796,366 Greene etal Apr. 17, 1931 1,974,353 Zollinger Sept. 18, 1934 2,344,941 Dutch Mar. 28, 1944 2,347,189 Garraway Apr. 25, 1944 2,419,853 Pask Apr. 29, 1947 2,424,052 Pratt et al July 15, 1947 

